Latest news with #TOEIC
Asahi Shimbun
08-07-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
TOEIC records nulled for 803 over ties to cheating group
A Chinese graduate student is believed to have been hired to help others cheat at this venue in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward on May 18 for the TOEIC English proficiency test. (Noriki Nishioka) Organizers of the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) have invalidated the exam records of 803 individuals who are believed to have cheated through a hired imposter. The Institute for International Business Communication will also disqualify those individuals from taking a TOEIC for five years, officials said July 7. Wang Likun, a Chinese graduate student at Kyoto University, was arrested in May on suspicion of trespassing at a TOEIC exam venue in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward by impersonating a test-taker. The Metropolitan Police Department believes Wang was expected to mumble out the correct answers to other test-takers engaged in cheating. The 803 individuals applied for TOEIC using the same or near-identical address as Wang's since May 2023, according to the organizers. TOEIC exam venues are assigned based on test-takers' addresses. Applicants from the same neighborhood sit for the test at the same place. The institute also said it ensures that test-takers have turned off their cellphones before the exam to prevent cheating. Wang, 27, was hiding a small microphone with an antenna in his mask and wearing a pair of smart glasses with camera functions when he was arrested in May. He was rearrested twice on suspicion of forging admission tickets to enter other TOEIC exam venues in Tokyo in February and March. The suspect has refused to discuss the cases, according to investigative sources. Wang initially told police that he received a message in Chinese around winter 2024 and was told he would be paid if he took the test. The MPD believes others have provided correct exam answers in similar arrangements. After Wang's arrest, police found that 77 Chinese nationals who were scheduled to take TOEIC at a venue in Tokyo's Nerima Ward on June 7 used the same address in their applications. Also, 18 people who were to sit for the exam at a venue in Tokyo's Minato Ward on June 22 used the same address. Six of those test-takers told police that they were trying to cheat on TOEIC. One admitted to applying for a fraudulent arrangement through social media and paying 50,000 yen ($340). The MPD suspects that masterminds in China are leading an organized cheating scheme.
Japan Times
08-07-2025
- Japan Times
Over 800 people found to be involved in TOEIC cheating scheme
At least 803 people were involved in cheating schemes on the Test of English for International Communication known as TOEIC over the past two years, the organization that runs the exam announced on Monday. Wang Likun, a 27-year-old Chinese graduate student from Kyoto University, was arrested last month for taking the TOEIC exam while posing as someone else, according to Jiji reports. He was also arrested in May for entering a testing center under a false identity. He is thought to have posed as a different person to take the exam and achieve a high score for whoever had commissioned him to take the test on their behalf. He also attempted to use a small microphone under a mask to tell other test-takers in the same venue the right answers. Given the incident, the organization that administers the exams, the Institute for International Business Communications, conducted an investigation on the tests that were taken between May 2023 and June of this year. So far, the organization found there were 803 test-takers who had submitted home addresses that were the same as or similar to Wang's, which would enable them to take the test at the same venue as him. For those who were identified, their test scores have been nullified and their accounts for the exam have been suspended. The organization is continuing to look into whether there are other cases where addresses that are similar to each other have been used when applying for the exam. There are also suspicions that Wang is part of a bigger cheating scheme involving more people. The exam organization had also implemented new measures since last month to prevent such cheating from occurring, such as test proctors ensuring all examinee's electronic devices are turned off as well as emphasizing the rules of the test and the severe consequences of cheating, such as notifying police. TOEIC is a widely taken English exam in Japan often required when applying for certain jobs or schools, as well as for some career advancements. The test is thought to be valuable for examining the test-takers' abilities to understand English in the business world, as well as in regular conversations. The results are evaluated on a numerical scale where 990 is a perfect score.
Kyodo News
08-07-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: July 8, 2025
TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Trump says 25% tariffs to be slapped on Japan, S. Korea on Aug. 1 WASHINGTON - The United States will impose 25 percent tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea starting Aug. 1, President Donald Trump said Monday, citing trade imbalances and further ramping up pressure on the key U.S. allies to make compromises to get deals done. In nearly identical letters addressed to the leaders of Japan and South Korea, which Trump posted in full on his Truth Social platform, he told each that trade relations with his country have been "far from Reciprocal." ---------- Taiwan's Foxconn mulls buying part of Nissan plant for EV production TOKYO - Taiwan's electronics giant Foxconn is considering purchasing part of a factory owned by Nissan Motor Co. to utilize in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, a source familiar with the matter said Monday. Foxconn is also exploring the possibility of jointly operating Nissan's signature Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, the source said. The site has been eyed as one of the seven plants to be shuttered as part of the struggling Japanese automaker's restructuring plans. ---------- Japan downgrades May economic view to "worsening," signals recession TOKYO - The government on Monday downgraded its assessment of Japan's economy for May to "worsening," using the designation for the first time in around five years and signaling the country is likely in a recession. The Cabinet Office's assessment is the most pessimistic of the five-level evaluation and is due partly to a fall in exports to the United States. The term "worsening" was last used in July 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. ---------- Over 800 suspected of cheating on TOEIC English exam in Japan TOKYO - At least 803 people in Japan are believed to have cheated on an English proficiency test between May 2023 and June 2025, the test's administrator said Monday, adding it has notified the examinees of the nullification of their exam results and a five-year ban on retaking the test. The findings by the Institute for International Business Communication come after Wang Li Kun, a Chinese graduate student at Kyoto University, was arrested for allegedly trying to take TOEIC -- the Test of English for International Communication -- using another person's ID in May. ---------- Japan logs current account surplus of 3.44 trillion yen in May TOKYO - Japan posted a current account surplus of 3.44 trillion yen ($23.6 billion) in May, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday. The current account balance is one of the widest gauges of international trade. ---------- Lawson to offer overnight stay at parking lots for people in vehicles TOKYO - Japanese convenience store operator Lawson Inc. said on Monday that it will launch a new paid service to offer its stores' parking lots to travelers spending the night in their vehicles amid soaring accommodation costs. The company will hold a trial at six outlets in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, from July 14 through June next year, with plans to expand the service nationwide. Expecting young people to use the service, it plans to charge 2,500 yen ($17) to 3,000 yen per night. ---------- Japan sees no tidal anomalies after large Indonesia volcano eruption TOKYO - A large volcanic eruption was observed on the Indonesian island of Flores on Monday, but no significant tidal anomalies have been recorded along the coasts of Japan or other countries, the Japanese weather agency said. The eruption of the 1,584-meter peak sent an ash plume 18,000 meters into the air, according to Indonesian authorities, who have banned people from approaching within 6 kilometers of the crater. ---------- China marks 88th anniversary of skirmish that led to war with Japan BEIJING - China held a ceremony Monday to mark the 88th anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident that led to the start of a full-blown war with Japan, attended by Cai Qi, the No. 5 figure in the ruling Communist Party, and the country's top diplomat Wang Yi. Zhang Youxia, a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other top-ranked uniformed officers also attended the annual event held at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, located near the bridge in southwestern Beijing, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. ---------- Video: Baby Japanese macaques on uninhabited island in Miyazaki Prefecture
The Mainichi
08-07-2025
- The Mainichi
Over 800 suspected of cheating on TOEIC English exam in Japan
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- At least 803 people in Japan are believed to have cheated on an English proficiency test between May 2023 and June 2025, the test's administrator said Monday, adding it has notified the examinees of the nullification of their exam results and a five-year ban on retaking the test. The findings by the Institute for International Business Communication come after Wang Li Kun, a Chinese graduate student at Kyoto University, was arrested for allegedly trying to take TOEIC -- the Test of English for International Communication -- using another person's ID in May. The examinees in question are believed to have taken advantage of the exam system that uses applicants' addresses to allocate testing sites, as they used the same or similar addresses as written on Wang's application. Wang has allegedly told police that he received a message in Chinese around last winter that he would be paid for sitting the exam. The widespread fraud is suspected to have been organized by a Chinese group. The 27-year-old allegedly hid a microphone inside a face mask, apparently to share his answers with other test takers. Around 40 people applied to sit the May exam using the same address as Wang. The suspect has already been indicted on suspicion of forging a private document for sitting exams on another occasion in Tokyo.
The Mainichi
07-07-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
English test cheating and photo-only weddings: Our 5 most-read stories from last week
We've listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between June 28 and July 6. The first story was viewed by 19.1% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi) Social inequality in China may be behind English test proxy cases in Japan TOKYO -- A slew of suspected cheating cases have been uncovered in the Test of English for International Communication, known commonly as TOEIC, held in Japan. A Chinese student has been arrested over his alleged involvement, and is suspected to have acted as part of an exam cheating ring. A closer look into these cases reveals circumstances unique to China. Full story. Edging Toward Japan: Japan's greatest gift to the world may yet be Mister Donut By Damian Flanagan Whenever I am in Britain, I generally attempt to steer clear of any conversation about Japan as this will often take the form of someone innocently remarking how very "strange" and "alien" Japanese culture must be and how intense must be the culture shock for a British person, presumably hoping that I will respond with a long list of extravagantly weird things. Full story. New Japanese citizen in int'l marriage confronts single-surname rule for married couples FUKUOKA -- A man who acquired Japanese nationality two years ago has reflected on the Japanese system requiring married Japanese couples to share a single surname -- following years in an international marriage in which he and his wife retained separate surnames. Full story. South Korean-style photo-only weddings gain popularity in Japan TOKYO -- "Instagrammable" South Korean-style photo-only weddings are gaining popularity in Japan amid the trend of young couples moving away from lavish ceremonies and receptions. Full story. 2 women thanked by Tokyo Fire Dept. for saving life of teen in cardiac arrest on train Airu Shiozaki, second from left in front row, and Megumi Saiki, third from left in front row, who received the fire commissioner award for saving a teenager who collapsed on a train, are seen in Tokyo's Meguro Ward, June 29, 2025. (Mainichi/Yuka Asahina) Full story.
